15 secrets Trader Joe's shoppers should know

Stock up on your favorite items before they get discontinued. Michael Nagle/Getty If you're always on the lookout for unique food products, then you're probably a fan of Trader Joe's. It can be easy to get lost wandering the aisles as you browse all the store's offerings.

Some days of the week can be a madhouse at the popular store, but it all seems worth it when you get home and sift through your shopping bag full of amazing, low-cost finds.

Before you plan your next shopping trip, take some time to get the inside deal on how to make your store experience even better.

Let's take a close look at the 15 secrets Trader Joe's shoppers need to know.

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1. They accept coupons

If you're a serious couponer, you might have stayed away from Trader Joe's. However, there's a little secret we'd like to let you in on. Contrary to popular belief, you can use manufacturer's coupons during your Trader Joe's shopping trip.

Bethany, founder of personal finance site All Natural Savings, said on her blog shoppers can use their coupons at any Trader Joe's location. "According to their corporate office, there is no official coupon policy available; however, they will accept manufacturer coupons and abide by any limits printed on the coupon," she said. The store does not offer its own store coupons, so this little tidbit will help you save some money.

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2. Stock up on your favorite products

Joe Raedle/Getty

The good news is Trader Joe's sells unique products. The bad news is these unique products are often removed from store shelves due to limited space, low demand, high production cost, or a combination of the three. Because most Trader Joe's stores are on the smaller side, there's a battle for product space. Low-performing products, though they might be your favorite, won't stay around long.

A writer for the blog Trader Joe's Rants & Raves shared the horror he felt when he found out one of his favorite products, almonds in the shell, had been discontinued.

We all know this scenario. This sinking feeling. That oh-so-Trader Joe's feeling you get at the pit of your stomach when you realize, 'Oh no! Maybe this is not just out of stock! Maybe this is (gulp!) a DISCONTINUED ITEM! If you're a TJ regular, you know this feeling. It's a bad feeling.

So if you are absolutely in love with a particular product, you might want to stock up while you can.

4. Bring your own bag

It pays to reuse bags. It's good for the environment, and it could help you score some store perks. Some locations will reward shoppers who bring their own bags to Trader Joe's.

You'll be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $25 gift card when you keep the environment in mind by using your own bags. All you have to do is fill out the raffle ticket during checkout. If you don't see tickets, just ask the cashier for one.

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5. You can sample store items

If you like to eat while you shop, you're in luck. Trader Joe's is happy to let customers sample their goods. One Trader Joe's manager, who hosted an Ask Me Anything forum on Reddit, said all you have to do is ask, and an employee will help you partake of your desired sample. However, there's just one catch. If the sample you desired must to be cooked, it's just not going to happen.

"[You can sample] anything within reason. We're not gonna grill up a steak for you, but something that you can open up and taste, yeah go for it. They'll be happy to open it and let you try (such as chips, candy, or snacks). Stuff you can just open and eat shouldn't be an issue," said Redditor sloth555.

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6. Read the Fearless Flyer

Fearless Flyer might sound like an action-packed book or the latest summer movie, but it's not. It's actually the name of Trader Joe's circular. Fearless Flyer is not only an entertaining read, but also a good source of news on the latest store deals. You can find the flyer in the store, or you can sign up to receive it through email.

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7. They have a great return policy

If you purchased something you're not pleased with, you don't have to worry. If you end up buying something you don't need or want anymore, you can return it to the store (along with your receipt) for a full refund. Here's what the folks over at Trader Joe's had to say on their website:

Try out that exotic-sounding dish you've never tried before — we think you're going to like. But if you don't, you're covered. Just bring back whatever you haven't eaten and we'll refund your money, no questions asked. It might sound like a food-lover's fantasy, but for us it's just the way we do business.

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8. Shop during off-peak hours

Rick Wilking/Reuters

Trader Joe's is quite popular, so shoppers come in droves during popular days of the week, such as Saturday afternoons. An editor from culinary website Kitchn had this to say: "As for the best days to shop, the pricing remains the same from day to day, so look for the days or times when the store is least crowded. My local store is a war zone from Saturday to Monday, so I try to avoid those days."

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9. The employees use bells to communicate

If you've ever wondered what all that bell ringing is about, we'll help solve the mystery. Trader Joe's explains on its website it's not a fan of using a traditional announcement system to communicate with employees. So, you'll never hear someone on a speaker yelling, "Cleanup in aisle five." Instead, the store prefers to use bells (sort of its version of Morse code) to let employees know when something needs to be done.

"Those blustery PA systems just didn't feel right to us, so we came up with a simple system to communicate, à la our maritime (Trader's on the culinary seas) association. One bell lets our crew know when to open another register. Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout. Three bells call over a manager-type person," the Trader Joe's reps said on the company website.

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10. You'll still need to comparison shop

Kathleen Elkins/Business Insider

Although Trader Joe's often beats out the competition, it doesn't always offer the lowest price. This is true when it comes to items, such as marinara sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and almond butter, according to MarketWatch research.

Target, Safeway, and Whole Foods were found to have the lowest prices when it came to these items. So if you're going to make a meal that requires these items, your best bet is to do a bit of comparison shopping.

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11. Pay attention to online announcements

There's nothing worse than falling in love with a product, only to find out it was recalled. It could pose a safety issue for you and your family. If you want to stay abreast of product recalls, the Trader Joe's website has an updated list under the announcements section. Just click on "announcements" and then "recalls" to get the latest details on a Trader Joe's product recall.

12. Trader Joe's has some of the best deals on alcohol

Are you looking to purchase a few alcoholic beverages for your next party? Then, Trader Joe's is the place to go. You can find great deals on store-brand and name-brand beverages for under $20.

Eating Well noted how the store's low-price alcohol quickly caught on among shoppers. "Perhaps the deal that Trader Joe's is best known for? Cheap wine — so cheap in fact that when California stores began selling Charles Shaw wines at $1.99 a bottle, the brand earned the nickname Two-Buck Chuck," according to Eating Well.

14. You can ask for a Trader's Joes to come to your neighborhood

Just ask if you want a Trader Joe's in your neighborhood. If you speak up, you might not have to jump in your car or take a long trip on the bus to visit your nearest Trader Joe's. The store has a handy online form customers can fill out.

The form asks you to recommend a location and even leaves room for additional comments. If you don't think the company cares about your request, you're mistaken. "There are no guarantees, but being wanted matters to us," according to the website.